Wande Coal (Real Name: Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe, born 18 October 1985) is a 38-year-old Nigerian singer and songwriter who has an estimated net worth of $1.7 million. He had his first big break in Nigeria’s entertainment industry as a dancer and became famous as a singer for his hit song ‘Ololufe’.
Unlike many Nigerian artists who made their way to the top through the microphone, Wande Coal stormed the music industry as a talented dancer. Though he was part of his church’s choir in his young age, Coal considered dancing as his first love, hence, the reason he started out as a dancer.
The singer’s professional career began in the year 2006 when he joined Don Jazzy‘s Mo Hits Record. While his stint with the renowned label lasted, Wande collaborated with a good number of respected Nigerian singers such as Wizkid, Dr. SID, D’Prince, Naeto C, Ikechukwu and many others. He was featured on several singles of successful artists like D’banj. Some of D’banjs single hits Coal featured in are Tonosibe, Loke, and Why Me.
As a member of Mo Hits record label, Wande Coal played vital roles in pushing the label from one level of success to another. He was part of the record’s Allstars as well as a major contributor to the “Curriculum Vitae (CV)” album. To date, his first single of the album titled “Ololufe” is considered one of the greatest and most successful love song the Nigerian music industry has ever produced.
Besides “Olulofe”, Coal’s career has seen him release two studio albums which were released in 2009 and 2015. His debut album titled: Mushin To Mo’Hits was universally received across the USA, UK, and Nigeria. The singer’s second album titled: “Wanted” came six years later and was released under the Black Diamond record label and the likes of Burna Boy, AKA, Wizkid, and 2face featured in it.
Wande left Don Jazzy’s Mo Hits records in 2012 following a dispute between the trio of the label: executives, D’banj and Don Jazzy. His next stop was at Mavin Records, which was founded by Don Jazzy after his drama with the Oliver Twist crooner. Other stars who also joined him at Mavin include D’Prince, Dr SID, and Tiwa Savage, who was formerly signed to 323 entertainment.
The Lagos-born hitmaker released his debut single titled: Baby Face in October 2013, a few months after he left Mavin Records. His second studio album titled: Wanted was released in 2015 under the Black Diamond record and was placed slightly above average by critics.
Coal’s most recent singles are Iskaba, Ballerz, and Turkey Nla which were all released between 2017 and 2018 under Black Diamond entertainment.
Wande Coal’s Age and Early Life
The Afropop singer was born on October 18, 1985, in Lagos Island, Lagos State. The first child of his parents, he was born into a comfortable family to Omolara Oluwayemisi Ojosipe (mother) and Chief Ibukun Olufunto (father).
Named Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe at birth, Wande Coal had his primary education at Staff Nursery and later at Ijaniki Primary School. The singer had his secondary school education in Federal Government College Lagos, after which he was admitted to the University of Lagos (Unilag) to study Curriculum Studies. He obtained his degree certificate from the university upon completion but decided to pursue a career in music instead.
Family Life
Wande Coal is a father to a young boy whom he had with a lady called Temitope Ogunnusi. According to several sources, Temitope was 20 years old when she became pregnant for the singer. She is said to have hidden her pregnancy from Coal until she gave birth to their son who has a striking resemblance with the singer.
Sometime in April 2018, Wande’s baby mama alleged that the singer’s family denied her access to her son for many years but the singer, in a statement released later, rubbished the claim, adding that Temitope was the one who abandoned their son after she got married to another man.
At the moment, the singer could possibly be single despite reports by some websites that he got married to another of his girlfriend around November 2017 in Lagos. Wande Coal is yet to confirm or deny the report and it appears he is not in a hurry to do so.
Net Worth
There is no doubt that Wande Coal has invested his talent and time in the music industry ever since he rose to prominence in 2006. He is not just talented but also very hardworking and passionate about singing. From his career, he has amassed quite a sizeable wealth estimated to be $1.7 million, according to reports online.
Height and Other Interesting Facts
1. Wande Coal is 5 feet 7 inches tall.
2. The singer has won himself about 15 awards some of which include Next Rated Hip Hop World Awards (2008), Ghana Music Awards 2010: African Artiste of the Year, Best R&b/Pop Single (2010), Best rhythm and blues singer of the year (2009) and much more.
3. He began singing as a choir member in his church choir before breaking into the Nigerian entertainment industry as a dancer.
4. Wande Coal has one sibling and only known brother called Towa Ojosipe. He is equally talented as a musician and goes by the stage name Tee Josh.